NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS April 19, 2021 County of Hawai’i Office of Housing and Community Development 1990 Kino’ole Street, Suite 102 Hilo, Hawai’i 96720 (808) 961-8379 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the County of Hawai’i. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about Friday, May 7, 2021 the County of Hawai’i will submit a request to the HUD/State administering agency for the release of Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program funds under CFR 24 Subtitle B, Chapter IX Part 983, to undertake a project known as West Kawili Street Senior/Veteran Housing for the purpose of 92 affordable rental units for qualifying low income, senior veteran households to reside in within TMK plat (3) 2-4-057:030, located in central Hilo within the County of Hawai’i. This would include rental assistance for qualifying residential households at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI), with preference given to veterans and spouses of deceased veterans. Seniors are defined as individuals 62 years of age or above, and households whose head, cohead, spouse, or sole member meets this definition. The proposed project includes the construction of 92 new affordable senior rental housing units, 175 parking stalls, and an approximately 7,342 square foot community center located on Tax Map Key (TMK) (3) 2-4-057:030, and access easements at Ululani Street granted to EAH Housing on portions of TMK: (3) 2-4-057:031, Waiakea Ahupua’a, South Hilo District, Island of Hawai’i. The total project footprint will be 102,011 square feet of the 244,589 square foot lot. Unit sizes will range from 778 SF to 924 SF. Infrastructure improvements including but not limited to connection to existing water, wastewater, electrical, and telecommunication systems will be conducted as necessary where required. The HUD funding amount is expected to be $13,340,000.00, including both PBV and Housing Trust Funds. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The County of Hawai’i has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/office-of-housing PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the County of Hawai’i Office of Housing and Community Development, Attn: Desiree Moore, 1990 Kino’ole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720; Desiree.Moore@hawaiicounty.gov. Reference the project by name: West Kawili Street Senior/Veteran Housing. All comments received by Friday, May 7, 2021, will be considered by the County of Hawai’i prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The County of Hawai’i certifies to HUD that Susan K. Kunz, in her capacity as Housing Administrator of the Office of Housing and Community Development, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the County of Hawai’i to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the County of Hawai’i’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of Hawai’i; (b) the County of Hawai’i has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Honolulu Field Office, at 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Mr. Mitch D. Roth, Mayor County of Hawai’i, Office of Housing and Community Development (WHT1323280 4/19/21)